Schooling success

Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils

- Lottie Morgan

WHETHER you have a four-year-old just learning to ride, or a teenager competing internationally, there is an increasing range of options when it comes to schools for the horse-mad student. From those with state-of-the-art facilities and a bring-your-own-horse model, to state schools that support competitive equestrian teams, there is growing recognition that access to horses can enrich children's education.

"Our equine centre has grown exponentially in the past six years," says Sophie Starr, director of riding and equestrian centre manager at Bryanston School in Dorset, which has stables in both the preparatory and senior school.

While the senior school offers yearround livery, the prep school operates like a riding school.

"It's a fantastic way for children to get a rounded start in horses. It's great to have competitive riders, but we want our students to learn the fundamentals of equine welfare and riding," says Sophie. "Being outside in nature and having access to the animals also has an important emotional monitoring function.

The children learn to be responsible for something other than themselves, and spending time at the yard provides huge benefits for their mental health.

Staff at The Elms School, a prep school in Herefordshire that has a stables and working farm on-site, notice similar benefits. "The ponies here are a wonderful pastoral tool," explains Aurora Mercer, head of admissions and marketing.

"Children find it easier to open up about an issue if talking about it while mucking out or grooming ponies." At The Elms School, beginners start riding lessons from the age of eight.

"Some little pre-prep children are already winning armfuls of rosettes at competitions, but it's more important for us that the children are hands-on and learn good stable management," says Aurora.

For competitive riders, balancing a training and competition schedule with academic study can be a huge challenge.